24/7 Space News
WATER WORLD
How atmospheric winds influence ocean weather patterns
illustration only
How atmospheric winds influence ocean weather patterns
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 03, 2025

Much like winds shape the weather on land, Earth's oceans experience their own dynamic weather systems in the form of eddies - circular currents of water spanning roughly 100 kilometers. A recent study by researchers at the University of Rochester, using satellite imagery and advanced climate modeling, has reshaped previous assumptions about how atmospheric winds interact with these oceanic phenomena.

Scientists had long believed that wind primarily acted to dampen ocean eddies, slowing their rotation. However, a new study published in *Nature Communications* challenges this notion, revealing that the effect of wind on eddies is far more complex. Instead of merely reducing their motion, wind can either weaken or strengthen eddies depending on their direction of rotation.

"It's actually more interesting than what people had previously thought," said Hussein Aluie, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Mathematics at the University of Rochester, as well as a senior scientist at the University's Laboratory for Laser Energetics. "There's a marked asymmetry in how the wind affects these motions, and it depends on the direction they spin."

The study found that large-scale atmospheric winds, such as the westerlies and trade winds, play a crucial role. When these winds blow opposite to an eddy's spin, they slow it down. Conversely, when their direction aligns, they transfer energy into the eddy, intensifying its motion.

Beyond eddies, the research highlights the significance of "strain" - complex, interwoven oceanic currents that are less visually apparent but hold about half of the ocean's kinetic energy. These strain patterns also experience energy fluctuations due to wind interactions, much like eddies do.

"The new energy pathways between the atmosphere and the ocean that we discovered can help design better ocean observation systems and improve climate models," said Shikhar Rai '23 PhD (mechanical engineering), the study's lead author and a postdoctoral investigator at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

This newfound understanding has significant implications for climate science, fisheries, and maritime industries. Improved knowledge of ocean weather dynamics could enhance climate predictions and optimize navigation routes for commercial shipping.

The research, funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Energy, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, primarily examined the mechanical interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. Looking ahead, Aluie intends to explore how eddies contribute to energy transport between the two systems.

Research Report:Atmospheric wind energization of ocean weather

Related Links
Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WATER WORLD
Dead Sea an 'ecological disaster', but no one can agree how to fix it
Ein Gedi, Israel (AFP) Jan 29, 2025
An abandoned lifeguard cabin, a rusty pier and mangled umbrellas are all that is left of Ein Gedi, once Israel's flagship beach drawing international tourists to float in the world-famous waters of the Dead Sea. Now, this lush desert oasis at the lowest point on Earth sits in ruins beside the shrinking sea, whose highly salty waters are rapidly retreating due to industrial use and climate change, which is accelerating their natural evaporation. The beach has been closed to the public for five ye ... read more

WATER WORLD
Vast and SpaceX Call for Research Proposals to Advance Space Habitation

SpaceX mission to return US astronauts to happen 'soon': Trump

Satellite technology paves way for space traffic management

NASA Opens New Challenge to Inspire Climate Solutions

WATER WORLD
Sierra Space Dream Chaser Spaceplane Passes Key NASA Test in Preparation for ISS Resupply Mission

SpaceX launches from Florida, retires first-stage booster because of extra power needed

UK Government backs UK orbital launch with 20 million pound investment

How to Operate NASA's Orion Spacecraft for Artemis II Mission

WATER WORLD
Approaching the Red Planet from the Kitchen

Explaining persistent hydrogen in Mars atmosphere

ORBIMARS: A proposed terminology for Mars orbital operations

Now That's Ingenuity: First Aircraft Measurement of Winds on Another Planet

WATER WORLD
Astronaut insights from mid mission aboard Tiangong

China launches additional satellites for Spacesail Constellation

Shenzhou XIX crew completes second spacewalk mission

Shenzhou XIX crew completes second spacewalk

WATER WORLD
Sidus Space Receives FCC Approval for Direct-to-Device Capability

Starlink connectivity enhances Oracle Enterprise Communications Platform

South American Space Programs: No Cooperation, No Gains

Stoke Space secures $260M in Series C Funding

WATER WORLD
Tradition and hi tech sync at China 'AI temple fair'; Tourist hot spot stokes viral nostalgia

Ahead of Super Bowl, helicopter security flights will measure radiation in New Orleans

Generative AI's environmental impact in figures

Novel high-heat lubricant drastically reduces friction

WATER WORLD
Dwarf planet Ceres has rare organic material delivered by asteroids

A super-Earth laboratory for finding life beyond our solar system

Extreme supersonic winds detected on distant exoplanet

Astronauts to Collect Microbial Samples from Space Station Exterior

WATER WORLD
NASA Juno Mission Discovers Record-Breaking Volcanic Activity on Io

SwRI models suggest Pluto and Charon formed similarly to Earth and Moon

Citizen scientists help decipher Jupiter's cloud composition

Capture theory unveils how Pluto and Charon formed as a binary system

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.